Proper Handholding Technique

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There is a proper Handholding Technique just like there
is a proper Long Lens Technique. The goal
of both is to capture the sharpest possible image by improving the
person behind the camera. This is not something I made up, but was taught
long, long ago. If you watch photographers such as photojournalists
who handhold the vast majority of the time, you will see them using
this very basic but essential technique.

First - bring your elbows into your sides! I'm
not talking about squeezing so hard your belly button pops out, but
just rest them on your sides.

Second - cradle the lens in your hands! You want
gravity to force the lens down into your hand. Holding the lens in
another way, gravity is trying to force the lens out of your hand.

Third - use a rubber eyecup! This acts like a shock
absorber to help minimize or eliminate any movement from your head.

Fourth - roll you finger when firing! Too many
photographers poke at their shutter release to fire the camera, causing
all sorts of unwanted movement. You want to rest your finger on the
shutter release at all times and then slightly roll it unto the shutter
release to actually fire the camera. This takes practice, but makes
a big difference!

Lastly - practice, practice, practice! You can't
expect to have this become second nature or remain second nature if
you don't do it all the time. Whether shooting for real or just staying
in shape, take the gear out and practice so you don't have to think
about it when you're out shooting.